Main Content

Cupertino

Originally a town of fruit orchards and agriculture, modern Cupertino sprang up rapidly from its roots as a farm village into the leading place for innovation and invention, not only in the Bay Area, but the entire world. Considered by many to be the hub of Silicon Valley, tech giant Apple was founded in the city in 1976, and today the community is home to the company’s headquarters and large campus, as well as numerous other high-tech companies. With such an environment of achievement and advancement, it is not surprising that Cupertino also boasts some of the best schools in the area, along with residents who went out of their way to ensure they lived in the district. Nestled on the western edge of the Santa Clara Valley and extending into the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains, recreational options abound in the town, and include golf courses, parks, a community center, and city museum.

Cupertino doesn’t have a traditional downtown, but instead boasts what is known as “The Crossroads” at the intersection of Stevens Creek and De Anza boulevards. Once the site of Cupertino’s first general store, post office, and blacksmith shop, “The Crossroads” now offers a number of shopping and dining options. Cupertino is also home to De Anza College, a focal point for culture and education, as well as a center of activity in the city. The college offers a planetarium, museum, art gallery, and also hosts a monthly flea market. One of my favorite places in Cupertino is De Anza College’s Flint Center for the Performing Arts. The venue brings in international talent that ranges from the San Francisco Symphony to Beijing Acrobats, and each year, invites celebrities and dignitaries for public speaking engagements. After a show, you can walk over to Paul & Eddie’s Monta Vista Inn. Established in 1943, this Silicon Valley landmark is known for its pool tables, great drinks, and dollar bills stuck to the wall with personalized messages drawn on them by decades of past patrons.